Italian fruit and vegetable exports have set a new record, achieving their highest level in 25 years.
According to Istat data analyzed by Italian farmers’ association Coldiretti, a total of 2.17 billion kilos of fresh fruits and vegetables were exported in the first half of 2016, up 8 per cent over the same period last year.
Fruit prevailed, with 1.38 billion kg (+4%) of exports recorded, while 789 million kg of vegetables were exported (+14%). This result was achieved despite the total embargo in force on European fruit and veg from Russia.
Significantly, exports fruit and vegetables have surpassed imports in quantity, which has rarely happened in the past. The result is also due to a profound change in lifestyle, increasing international demand for natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
In Italy, fruit and vegetable consumption has reached a maximum in the last four years as a result of an average annual increase of 3 kg per person.
An analysis by Coldiretti estimates that the per capita consumption of fruit and vegetables will rise to almost 320 kilos in 2016. The monthly expenditure for fruits and vegetables will reach €98.55 per household in Italy, surpassing that of meat, becoming the first item in the food budget, a first in this century.
According to data from Macfrut Consumers' Trend, Italian families purchased a total of 3.47 billion kg in the first six months of 2016, an increase of 2 per cent compared to the same period last year.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
